Two seasons of hard work and consistent training were finally rewarded when Grant Goudge secured his first victory in local cycling’s Open category on Sunday morning at Southside in Bermuda Bicycle Association’s latest event.

With the Open and Intermediate categories starting together on the short, technical loop course, which included three tight left hand turns and a tough hill on each lap, it was clear from the start that it was going to be a difficult day for the riders, and for some a painful one, with a crash late in the event taking a number of riders out of contention.

As usual with criterium-style racing, the 60-minute race for the Open and 45-minute event for the Intermediate riders got off to an aggressive start with one attack after another as competitors tried to break up the big pack early in the race.

But with so many riders in top shape at this stage of the season, and with the Heritage Day Road Race firmly in their minds, one after another escape attempt was reeled in.

Twenty minutes into the race, under an unrelenting pace, the field climbed the short but demanding hill and as the pace eased at the top, Goudge took advantage and attacked off the front, opening up a gap which steadily grew over the next few laps and with his team-mates protecting his lead, coupled with a lack of organisation in the rest of the field, he was soon out of sight.

In a classic move, making the most of the disorganisation, Goudge’s team-mate Wayne Scott jumped off the front of the pack and within two laps had bridged the gap, the two then working together for the rest of the event unchallenged with Scott, one of the Island’s top sprinters, rewarding Goudge for his hard work by not contesting the finish and giving his team-mate a well deserved victory.

With a strong finish Kent Richardson came home third.

In the highly competitive Intermediate category, it was not so straightforward with a number of riders in contention late into the race, including newcomer and Front Street Race winner Brian Drea and Mark Lombardi, who placed second to him in that same event.

However, in the final minutes of the event and with a big group of riders fighting for position, a touch of wheels caused a sickening crash — Lombardi the only one to avoid the collision.

Drea was not so lucky and was left at the side of the road with road rash and a broken frame.

Lombardi continued on for a solo victory with Rodney Davies and Mike Lee, making a welcome return to racing, finishing second and third respectively.

In other categories, Mike McPhee broke away from the field at the start in their 20-minute race and time-trialled to the finish alone. Dee Thompson won the women’s Intermediate category, Phillip Woolridge the boys’ 15-16, Heather Cooper the women’s Citizen, Brighton Swan the boys’ 13-14 and Sophie Adams the girls’ 13-14.

In the boys’ 11-12, Alexander Davis was first, Lucas Salmon won the boys’ 10 and under and Erica Hawley the girls’ 10 and under.

Full results, see Scoreboard.